Packaging unit

ABSTRACT

A packaging, particularly for granular, powdery, paste-like or liquid goods, the packaging comprising a peripheral wall and, optionally, a base; the packaging having an essentially cylindrical, truncated cone-shaped, spherical, hemispherical, cartridge-shaped, pyramid-shaped or other shaped design; and said packaging, optionally, forming a cup along with the base.

The invention relates to a packaging unit, in particular for granular, powder-form, paste-like or liquid substances.

The most varied packaging units of the stated type are known.

However, these packaging units are generally not suitable for containing substances that are then prepared directly as they come from the packaging unit.

The invention is therefore based on the task of proposing a packaging unit that is suitable for this application.

This task is accomplished, according to the invention, in that the packaging unit has a circumferential wall and, if applicable, a bottom, wherein the packaging unit is configured essentially in the form of a cylinder, truncated cone, sphere, hemisphere, cartridge, pyramid or some other shape, and forms a cup, together with the bottom, if applicable.

By means of such an embodiment, the packaging unit can be laid into preparation machines manually, semi-automatically or fully automatically, the content can be prepared and/or removed, and then the packaging unit can be ejected from the preparation machine once again.

A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention also exists if an edge flange or a lip is provided at the free end of the packaging unit, wherein the edge flange or the lip can have an at least approximately constant thickness over its entire progression.

With this edge flange or lip, the packaging unit can be grasped and held very easily.

It is also extremely advantageous, according to the invention, if the packaging unit is closed off with a lid at its free end, wherein the lid can also be configured to be flat.

The substances filled into the unit are protected by the lid.

It is also very advantageous, according to the invention, if, in the case of a tubular packaging unit, both free ends are closed off with a lid, in each instance, wherein one or both lids can also be configured to be flat.

In this embodiment, as well, the substances filled into the unit are excellently protected.

A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention exists if the lid is welded on, sealed on, pressed on, glued on and/or otherwise mechanically attached.

In this way, a very good connection between the lid and the remainder of the packaging unit is created.

An extremely advantageous further development of the invention exists if planned breaking points are provided in the bottom region for opening the packaging unit.

Likewise, it is very advantageous, according to the invention, if planned breaking points are provided in the lid for opening the packaging unit.

These planned breaking points, which can also facilitate penetrating the packaging unit with cannulas or the like, allow particularly easy emptying of the packaging unit. In this regard, it is conceivable that the packaging unit is opened either only from one side or, alternatively, is also opened on both sides, and thus flow through the packaging unit occurs as it is emptied. In this regard, the packaging unit can be emptied mechanically or, alternatively, with a fluid.

A further very advantageous further development of the invention is also present if a screen or filter, which can be exposed when the packaging unit is opened, is disposed in the bottom and/or lid.

In this way, coffee powder or the like, for example, can be retained in the packaging unit. It is also conceivable that the contact of dissolving granulate with inflowing water is extended and that material filled into the packaging unit, which material has not yet dissolved completely, is prevented from being expelled.

A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention is also present if the cup and/or the lid is/are equipped with a barrier layer on the inside, outside and/or within the material.

In this way, the storage capacity of the filled packaging unit is improved. Diffusion of oxygen into the packaging unit can be prevented, as can exiting of ingredients of the material filled into the packaging unit.

In this regard, it has proven to be very advantageous if the barrier layer is disposed between two layers of the material.

As a result, direct contact of the material filled into the packaging unit with the barrier layer is prevented.

It is also extremely advantageous in this connection, according to the invention, if the barrier layer is configured as a moisture barrier, oxygen barrier and/or flavor barrier, and consists of a coating, a laminate, a varnish or some other material application, which is applied before or after production of the packaging unit.

In this way, the material filled into the packaging unit is optimally protected.

A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention is also present if the packaging unit is produced from a plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard and/or composite material, in one or more layers.

In this way, packaging units that are very environmentally friendly can be produced at low production costs.

According to the invention, it is also very advantageous if the packaging unit is produced from a material that contains fibers, in particular a material that contains cellulose fibers.

Such material has proven to be particularly environmentally friendly.

According to another further development of the invention, it is also very advantageous if the packaging unit is configured to be deep-drawn or deep-pressed.

Packaging units specifically produced from deep-drawn material that contains fibers demonstrate great stability and very good environmental tolerance.

It is extremely advantageous, according to the invention, if the edge of the packaging unit is configured to be pressed.

In this way, any remaining wrinkles of the edge are smoothed and thus a tight connection with the lid is ensured.

Another very advantageous further development of the invention can also be seen in that a cup is configured in one or more parts.

In this way, the cup or the packaging unit can be produced in particularly simple manner.

It is also very advantageous, according to the invention, if the packaging unit is configured to be suitable for the shape-fill-seal method.

In this way, very clean and contamination-free filling of material into the packaging unit can be ensured. Furthermore, the storage capacities for the empty packaging units are slight, since these are present as a flat material.

According to another further development of the invention, it is extremely advantageous if the packaging unit is configured to have one or more chambers.

In the case of a single-chamber embodiment, one material filled into the packaging unit can be provided. In the case of a multi-chamber packaging unit, multiple materials filled into the packaging unit, which are only supposed to be or allowed to be mixed upon extraction, can be provided.

Furthermore, it is very advantageous if at least part of the packaging unit is formed from a functional material and/or contains a functional material.

A functional material is a filter material or the like, for example. Particular properties can be provided to the material filled into the packaging unit or to the preparation produced from this material by means of the functional material.

In this regard, it has proven to be very advantageous if the functional material is covered with packaging material, wherein the packaging material is configured to be removable in this region.

In this way, the functional material is protected until it is required for extraction of the material filled into the packaging unit.

A further very advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least one surface of the packaging unit is coated with a material that equalizes wrinkles, in particular a meltable plastic.

In this way, wrinkles that particularly occur in the case of deep-drawn cardboard and paper can be equalized and smoothed, in order to produce a smooth surface, at least in part.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated using an exemplary embodiment.

In this regard, the figures show:

FIG. 1 a fundamental representation of a packaging unit according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 a section through this packaging unit.

In FIG. 1, 1 refers to a cup-shaped packaging unit, which is structured conically in this exemplary embodiment and is produced from cardboard.

The packaging cup 1 is deep-pressed from a flat cardboard cutout during production, wherein at first, a cylindrical shaping is conceivable, which is subsequently widened in defined manner in order to produce the conical shape.

It is likewise conceivable that the packaging cup 1 has the shape of a cylinder, hemisphere, truncated cone, pyramid or some other shape. Polygonal and round basic shapes are also conceivable, as are embodiments in the form of a cartridge.

Ideally, the walls are at least slightly inclined; this facilitates handling, particularly insertion into an extraction apparatus.

At its open end, the packaging cup 1 is provided with an edge flange 2. This is followed by the wall 3, which in turn is followed by a bottom 4.

In this exemplary embodiment, the packaging cup 1 is lined with a coating 5 on its inside. In this regard, the coating 5 can form of a barrier layer, which is formed of a plastic material.

Examples of materials for the coating 5 are PE, PP, PVOH, PLA and other plastics, which can consist of renewable and non-renewable raw materials. Ideally, a material that can be sealed is selected, which also has the desired barrier properties, for example with regard to oxygen barrier, flavor barrier, moisture barrier, grease barrier or the like.

The coating 5 can be laminated on, extruded on or also sprayed on, for example. Other coating methods are conceivable.

The packaging cup 1 is closed off with a lid 6, which is sealed onto the edge flange 2. Depending on the coating 5 used, gluing, welding or some other method of attachment can also be provided. Depending on the purpose of use of the packaging unit, it is also possible to do without a coating 5.

A coating 5 can also be provided on the lid 6.

In the present exemplary embodiment, planned breaking points 7 are provided in the lid 6, through which points water, for example, can be pressed into the packaging unit.

In the bottom 4, in contrast, a functional element 8 is provided, which serves as a filter.

The water pressed into the packaging unit through the planned breaking points 7 the material filled into the packaging unit can be dissolved and then output through the filter 8.

In this regard, it is also conceivable that coffee powder is brewed in the packaging unit 1 and that the filter 8 prevents exiting of the brewed coffee powder.

Other structures are also conceivable, in which the arrangements are also reversed, for example. It is also possible to do without the functional element 8, and planned breaking points 7 can also be provided in the bottom 4.

It is also conceivable that corresponding needles or tubules are provided in an extraction apparatus, which are able to pierce the bottom 4 and/or the lid 6.

In this regard, the coating 5 can optionally remain intact or, alternatively, can also be opened.

The functional element 8 can also be covered and protected by a protective covering. This covering must either be removed before use or is automatically opened in the extraction apparatus. Planned breaking points in the protective covering are conceivable.

Planned breaking points can be configured as cuts, scored lines, perforations or the like, and can also have valve functions. This means that the planned breaking points are opened by means of a corresponding pressure. If the pressure of the brewing water, for example, is reduced again, the planned breaking points close again. Thus, dripping, or the like, of a used container can be prevented when it is removed.

The packaging cup 1 can consist not just of a single layer of cardboard, as explained above. It is also conceivable that a multi-layer structure is chosen, wherein different materials can be used for the individual layers.

Coatings 5 can also be disposed between two material layers.

It is essential to the invention that at least one layer of the material consists of paper or cardboard, in order to be able to do without plastics, at least to a great extent. In the case of the coatings 5, primarily renewable and biodegradable polymers, called biopolymers, are used. These can be starch-based, for example, or exist on a polylactic acid basis. 

1. Packaging unit, in particular for granular, powder-form, paste-like or liquid substances, wherein the packaging unit has a circumferential wall and, if applicable, a bottom, wherein the packaging unit is configured essentially in the form of a cylinder, truncated cone, sphere, hemisphere, cartridge, pyramid or some other shape, and forms a cup, together with the bottom, if applicable.
 2. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein an edge flange or a lip is provided at the free end of the packaging unit, wherein the edge flange or the lip can have an at least approximately constant thickness over its entire progression.
 3. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is closed off with a lid at its free end, wherein the lid can also be configured to be flat.
 4. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein in the case of a tubular packaging unit, both free ends are closed off with a lid, in each instance, wherein one or both lids can also be configured to be flat.
 5. The packaging unit according to claim 3, wherein the lid is welded on, sealed on, pressed on, glued on and/or otherwise mechanically attached.
 6. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein planned breaking points are provided in the bottom region for opening the packaging unit.
 7. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein planned breaking points are provided in the lid for opening the packaging unit.
 8. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein a screen or filter, which can be exposed when the packaging unit is opened, is disposed in the bottom and/or lid.
 9. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the cup and/or the lid is/are equipped with a barrier layer on the inside, outside and/or within the material.
 10. The packaging unit according to claim 9, wherein the barrier layer is disposed between two layers of the material.
 11. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the barrier layer is configured as a moisture barrier, oxygen barrier and/or flavor barrier, and can consist of a coating, a laminate, a varnish or some other material application, which is applied before or after production of the packaging unit.
 12. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is produced from a plastic, aluminum, paper, cardboard and/or composite material, in one or more layers.
 13. The packaging unit according to claim 12, wherein the packaging unit is produced from a material that contains fibers, in particular a material that contains cellulose fibers.
 14. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is configured to be deep-drawn or deep-pressed.
 15. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the packaging unit is configured to be pressed.
 16. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the cup is configured in one or more parts.
 17. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is configured to be suitable for the shape-fill-seal method.
 18. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit is configured to have one or more chambers.
 19. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the packaging unit is formed from a functional material and/or contains a functional material.
 20. The packaging unit according to claim 19, wherein the functional material is covered with packaging material, wherein the packaging material is configured to be removable in this region.
 21. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the packaging unit is coated with a material that equalizes wrinkles, in particular a meltable plastic. 